SAFEGUARDING the public from re-offending youths in Brent has only been done ‘well enough’ 59 per cent of the time, a new report has revealed.
Brent Council’s Youth Offending Service works with children and young offenders from a variety of backgrounds, including some who are involved in gang crime, and tries to repair the harm caused through their offending and prevent further crimes.
Its latest inspection report, by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation in September, recorded it had done ‘well enough’ 65 per cent of the time, but action to protect the public from risk of harm was only done well enough 59 per cent of the time.
Brent Council has defended its service and a spokesman said: “The results of the inspection were better than the average for the London boroughs which had recently been observed. The inspectors made a number of recommendations but went on to say, ‘we are confident that if the recommendations in this report are followed, the improvement required can be made and sustained’.”
Julie Fox, assistant chief inspector, said Brent’s figures were a ‘reasonable set of findings” but admitted the risk of harm to others findings require ‘particular attention’.
She said: “In Brent, we found a youth offending service working with children and young people from diverse backgrounds and with complex needs, some of whom posed a high risk of harm to others including involvement in organised gang crime. “Due to austerity measures, the service had recently undergone changes to its internal delivery structures which had impacted on staff levels and morale. However, despite these challenges case managers were keen to improve their assessment and case management skills.”
A full copy of Brent's Youth Offending Service inspection report by HM's Probation Service can be viewed by visiting www.hmprisons.gov.uk
